Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the state, revealing that bandits have effectively taken control of 64 communities. The Governor made this alarming statement on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*. His comments come as Plateau continues to battle escalating violence, particularly in its rural areas, where the activities of armed groups, including suspected herdsmen and bandits, have caused widespread devastation.
Muftwang’s statement shed light on the scale of insecurity in Plateau State, with communities in the northern-central region of Nigeria enduring ongoing attacks for over a decade. According to the Governor, the number of affected communities has drastically risen, leading to significant population displacement and loss of lives.
“These communities that have been recently attacked were part of the communities that were attacked in 2023, but they survived it and rebuilt themselves,” Governor Muftwang explained. “The Ruwi community that was first attacked lost about 17 people in 2023, but they bounced back to show you the resilience of the people,” he added.
Despite their resilience, these communities have been unable to withstand the persistent attacks and violence that have continued to plague them. In just one week, attacks on five communities by suspected herdsmen left over 50 people dead and destroyed more than 300 houses. These violent assaults have severely disrupted the lives of local residents, forcing many to flee their homes for safety.
The attacks, which have become increasingly frequent and intense, have drawn the attention of both local and national leaders. In response to the growing crisis, the Plateau State government, led by Governor Muftwang, has taken steps to provide relief and support to the victims. The Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau, visited several of the affected communities to assess the damage and distribute relief materials to those in need. However, the severity of the violence continues to overwhelm local authorities, highlighting the urgent need for a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to security in the region.
Governor Muftwang, however, emphasized that the recent attacks were not isolated incidents. “This has been going on for almost 10 years now, and it has not gathered enough national attention. If these attacks have been happening for this long, it tells you there is a deliberate, conscious attempt to clean out populations and reopen areas,” the Governor remarked.
According to Muftwang, the affected regions in Plateau—particularly the Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom Local Government Areas—are now under the complete control of bandits. “There are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits in Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom Local Governments. They have been taken over, renamed, and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away from to occupy,” he revealed.
This shocking revelation underscores the gravity of the situation in Plateau State. The scale of land displacement and the number of communities overtaken by bandits paints a picture of a state in the throes of a prolonged and worsening conflict. While some communities managed to rebuild after earlier attacks, the frequency and intensity of the current assaults suggest that their efforts to recover may be in vain.
The governor also pointed out that the pattern of attacks suggests a well-coordinated effort by armed groups to displace local populations and take control of vast areas in the state. This systematic violence not only threatens the security and livelihood of the people but also poses a serious challenge to the local government’s ability to maintain law and order.
The issue of insecurity in Plateau is not limited to the actions of bandits and herdsmen. The conflict is deeply tied to broader socio-political tensions, including disputes over land ownership, the encroachment of grazing routes, and clashes between farmers and herders. These longstanding issues have contributed to the violence, with both sides often resorting to violent measures to protect their interests. However, the increasing involvement of criminal groups and their unchecked activities have escalated the crisis, leaving residents vulnerable and displaced.
While Governor Muftwang has called for national attention to the crisis in Plateau, he has also emphasized the need for a collective approach to tackling insecurity across Nigeria. He argued that security challenges in the country should not be viewed in isolation, but as part of a larger problem that requires coordinated efforts from both the federal government and state authorities.
The Governor’s call for national attention reflects growing concerns among Nigerians regarding the escalating violence across many states, particularly in the north-central and north-western regions. Many have criticized the federal government for its perceived slow response to the growing security threats, with citizens expressing frustration over the increasing frequency of attacks and the failure of law enforcement agencies to effectively combat banditry and terrorism.
In Plateau, the rising insecurity has disrupted local economies, destroyed infrastructure, and left countless families in despair. The people of the affected communities have had to grapple with not only the loss of loved ones but also the displacement from their ancestral lands. With homes burned to the ground and livelihoods destroyed, the survivors now face an uncertain future.
The security situation in Plateau has drawn attention from humanitarian organizations, which have called for increased support for displaced persons and victims of violence. However, addressing the root causes of insecurity in the region will require more than just humanitarian aid. It will necessitate long-term solutions to the broader socio-political challenges that fuel violence and displacement.
Governor Muftwang has expressed hope that with increased support from the federal government and a more focused security strategy, the state can begin to reclaim the territories lost to bandits and restore peace to the affected communities. However, he stressed that restoring peace to Plateau would require not only more resources but also a sustained effort to address the underlying causes of the violence.
As the crisis in Plateau State continues to unfold, Nigerians are left to wonder what more can be done to protect the vulnerable and restore order to a region that has long struggled with insecurity. The situation in Plateau is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive and holistic approach to security in Nigeria.
